[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahead of the party convention, Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for party leadership from the People Power Party who has been emphasizing the 'Yoon-Ahn Alliance (Yoon Seok-yeol - Ahn Cheol-soo)' day after day, praised President Yoon Seok-yeol by saying "President Yoon is Son Heung-min," highlighting him as the main figure.
On the 2nd, on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Ahn said, "After all, the main figure is the president." Earlier, Ahn had emphasized the Yoon-Ahn Alliance, comparing his relationship with President Yoon to that of soccer players Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.
In response to the host's question, "Is it correct to see Son Heung-min as the main figure?" he agreed, saying, "Yes."
As Ahn emphasized his alliance with President Yoon, attacks from 'Yoon Core Officials (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates)' have also begun.
Lee Cheol-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker classified as a Yoon Core Official, posted on social media that morning, "After the regime change, those comrades supporting the administration are being criticized as Yoon Core Officials or Yoon Sim-pal, while the person who used to interfere with the president's personnel and governance is now calling themselves pro-Yoon or Jin-Yoon as they need Yoon Sim. This fake Yoon Sim-pal behavior is disgraceful."
In response, Ahn said, "I am not Yoon Sim-pal; rather, I want to be a candidate who adds strength to Yoon. That statement is not meant to disparage Yoon Sim-pal," and added, "If it was heard that way, that cannot be helped." He continued, "The president worked hard to raise his approval rating from 30% by resolving the Cargo Solidarity issue to 40%. What did other lawmakers do in that matter?" and argued, "Rather than undermining that, the party should lead with other policy agendas and raise approval ratings from other sides."
Kim Ki-hyun, a lawmaker competing with Ahn for party leadership, has also attacked him as a 'Yoon Sim appealer.' However, Ahn countered Kim by saying, "If you check the facts accurately in the media, the president said there is no Yoon Sim, but isn't there someone who said the president's will is with them?"
He added, "That goes against the president's will. Everyone knows who that person is," and said, "So who would believe now that someone else is being blamed for selling Yoon Sim?"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
